Train order deliverer



July 1, 1941. 5, v ROBBlNs 2,248,013

TRAIN ORDER DELIVERER Filed July 18, 1939 2 Sheets-$heefa 2 InventorAttorneys i aten ted July 1, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAINORDER DELIVERER Bernard V. Robbins, Cayuga, Ind.

Application July 18, 1939, Serial No. 285,142

2 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for delivering trainorders to fast moving trains from station platform, or the like.

The invention is designed with the particular purpose in view ofproviding apparatus of the character specified for delivering suchorders in duplicate copy, one at the head end of the train, and theother at the tail end thereof, for the engineer and conductor,respectively, and automatically with perfect safety to the engineer andconductor and others concerned.

Another object in view is to provide apparatus for the purpose abovespecified adapted for duplicating delivery of duplicate order copy, as,for instance, to a double-header train, or in other words, one runningwith two engines and cabooses, one caboose behind the second engine.

Still another object is to simplify such apparatus especially by way ofeliminating, as operating parts, all springs, and to utilize in lieuthereof gravity-operated parts.

To the accomplishment of the above, and subordinate objects presentlyappearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustratedin the accompanying drawings, set forth in detail in the succeedingdescription and defined in the claims appended hereto.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the preferred embodiment of myinvention with the parts shown in normal position.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan,

Figure 3 is a detailed view in perspective of one of the fork carriers,and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary View in top plan of the receiving device.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the illustrated embodiment of myinvention comprehends, as a basic element thereof, a tubular, preferablymetal post I adapted to be mounted alongside the track, as for instance,on a platform 2 and by means of a support 3 comprising a base plate 4bolted to the platform, as at 5, and having upstanding therefrom atubular socket 6 in which the lower end of the post I is fitted forrotation of the post therein into different set positions as establishedby a set screw 1 threaded into said socket 6 and extending into acircumferential quadrant slot 8 provided in said post.

Extending laterally from the post I, to one and the same side thereof,is a pair of tubular arms 9 disposed parallel in superposed relation andhaving rear ends fixed to the post I by means of T-shaped sleeves IIIriveted to said post as at I I. The arms III support, at the outer endsthereof, a pair of upper and lower order holding units I2, I3,respectively, adapted to be revolved in unison into and out of aposition intermediate said post and a passing train under rotation ofthe post I through a quarter turn in opposite direc tions, respectively,such intermediate position be ing the delivery positions of the holdingunits as will be understood, and the set screw 1 and slot 8 establishingthe opposite limits of said quarter turn.

The holding units I2, I3 are counterparts, each of the other so that adescription of one will suffice for both.

The primary element of the holding units I.2, I3 is a block-like, fiatfork carrier I4 of suitable metal comprising a pair of right-angularlyrelated branches I5. The carrier I4 is mounted, as presently described,at the outer end of its related arm 9 for vertical swinging movement ina vertical plane coincident with the axis of said arm from normal intoinverted positions, respectively, and vice versa. In the normal positionof the carrier I4, the branches I5 extend upwardly and forwardlyrelative to the arm 9, respectively, whereas, in the inverted positionof said carrier, said branches extend downwardly and forwardly,respectively.

The mounting for the carrier I4 comprises a substantially U-shapedbearing yoke I6 mounted at the front end of the related arm 9 to extendforwardly therefrom and by means of a shank part I! riveted, as at I8 tosaid arm. A pivot pin I9 extending through said yoke I6 and the cornerof the carrier I4 formed by the juncture of the branches I5 secures saidcarrier in said yoke, the arrangement being such that the edges of thecarrier coact with the rear end of the yoke to establish the normal andinverted positions of said carrier.

Pairs of order-retainers 20 are mounted, as presently described, at theends of the branches I5, respectively, to extend outwardly fromsaidends, each retainer comprising a V.-shaped base block 2|, of suitablewood, and a pair of outwardly divergent slats 23 secured to the sideedges of said block as at 24. The blocks 2| are secured to the branchesI5 so that the slats 23 are disposed in the plane of the carrier I4. Inthe case of the normally upwardly extending branches I5 the block 2| issecured thereto by means of a clip 25 riveted, as at 26, to saidbranches to project laterally therefrom in the plane of the carrier I4,the block 2| being provided with a shank 22 detachably fitted in saidclip 25 and releasably retained therein by means 128 of theretainer.

-end,\as at 40, to the other end of a spring-pressed bolt 21 suitablymbunted in the branch l. In the case of the normally forwardlyextending. branch I 5, the'blocks 2| are secured in any suitable mannerdirectly to the branch. The outer ends of the slats 23 are bifurcated,as represented at 28, and each block 2| has fixed to one side thereof,as at 29, a spring clip 30. An endless band 3| of resilient cord, or thelike, is trained through the bifurcated ends 28 ofeach pair of slats.23and through the clip 30 of the related blocks 2|. The train orders,'notshown, are attached to the bands 3| in any manner desired. As will nowbe understood, each order holding unit I2, l3, includes a pair of orderretainers 20, one normally upstandingand the other normally outstandingtoward a passing train, said retainers being mountedin'substantiallyright-angled 90 angular .relation for vertical swinging movement abouta, common axis l9 and under the influence of gravity so thattheoutstanding retainer may drop into a .pendantDQsition and'theupstanding retainer asgsumej the outstanding position. As will also be.apparent,;each orderretainer 2G is equipped with detachable means, inthe form of the band 3 l for securing an order copy thereto, which means,in the-outstanding position of the retainers maybe geasilydetachedtogether with the order copy by a pull exerted from a passing train onthe section of the band trained through the bifurcated endsAssociated,;;with each order-holding unit l2, I3 is latching mechanismfor retaining the carrier M in normal position and hence the orderretainers 20 in upstanding and .outstanding positions, respectively.

The latching mechanism in each instance com- ,prises the following: Thecarrier I4 is provided with a notched latch dog 32 pivoted to one sideof the normally upstanding branch 15, as at .33, for swinging movementin opposite directions 1 -intolatching and unlatching positions,respecorder retainer will drop and the upstanding retainer 20 will takeits place.

Referring to the operation of the apparatus as so far described, withthe parts in the normal position described, detachment of the band 3| ofthe forwardly extended order retainer 20 of either the upper or lowerorder holding units l2, I3, will cause rotation of the detent rod 46 ofthe units to release the locking rod 39 of the trip 31 whereupon thelatch dog 32.,will be swung by its spring 36 to unlatching positionthereby conditioning the units from which the band is detached forgravitational action to revolve the forwardly extending order retainerdownwardly out .of delivering position and the upwardly extending orderretainer 20 into its place or in other words into delivering position.Therefore, as will fbefclearly seen, one order copy may be taken tively,relative to a lug :35 on the yoke IS. A coil spring 36 suitablyconnected to said dog and carrierurges the dog. toward unlatohingposition. A lever-like dog trip-31 is pivoted, as at 38,

on the carrier M for rocking 'movement of one endthereof into engagementwith said dogso as toblock rocking of the latter from latchingposition.{A trip rocking rod 39 is pivoted at -one of said trip, said rod beingmounted intermediate its ends on the ,normally, outwardly extendingbranch l5 for-endwise movement to unlock said trip, the mountingcomprising a link 42 pivoted to said rod 39 and to a lug 43 on saidbranch, asat 44, 45, respectively. The'rod 39 isdesigned'to-be heldagainst endwise movementby detent means as follows:

Rotatably mounted in the normally outwardly extending block 2| isadetent rod 46 having a. bearingin a sleeve 47.

One end of the rod-46 is hook-shaped, as at, 4 9, for cooperation withan ,angularl-y related end5fi of the r0d.39 to hold .the latterstationary and adapted under rota- ;tion of the rod 46 in one directionto release;

said end 50; The otherendof the rod 46 hasa crank part 5|adaptedtoextend acrossthe appropriate, band 3| so that when said band isdetached the'crank part. will be rotated thereby to rotate saidhookedend '49 into releasing posi-ation relative to saidend 50 of rod39. Obviously, when said rod 39 isreleased, the spring '36 will swingthe dog 32 to unlatching position and under the influence of gravity theorder hold- ,iunits. |2, l3 will revolve so that outstanding:I

irom the normally forwardly extending order retainer 20 and another fromthe other order retainer subsequently. ,Either order holding unit l2,I3,; may be .utilizedfirst for presentingduplicate order copy. forsuccessive delivery. The

-manner in which the order holding unitsgl2, 13 may be revolved back. tonormal positionand ,latched in such position-will, it-is believed, be

clearly understood without explanation. When the apparatus risnot inuse, the order holding units |2, |3.-may be revolvedintoanout-of-therwayposition .in. a gmanneriwhich will be understood from theforegoingdescription. .In order that the order holding units :l-2, 13may be arranged in closely spacedsuperposed relation, the arms9 .may bebent laterally; in opposite directions as illustrated in Figure 2, sothat said units are staggered to prevent interference of the ,upperunits with the lower in operationthereof.

For, detaching thebandstl the receiving devicefillustratedin Figureimaybe provided on :theeng ine and cabooseas the case may be., Said devicecomprises an arm 52 pivoted at one end, as at 53, to a bearing bracket54 adapted to be bolted, as at '55, to the side of the engine or cabooseso that said-arm maybe extended outwardly .-f r,om the latter-or swung(inwardly along- .thereby detach thesame in a manner which will beclear. The arm 52 and hook 51 are provided with a .pair of'opposedresilient keeper fingers 58 extending across thehookwith a gap 59therebetween so thatthe band .3! may enter the hook but .be prevented bysaid fingers from jumping out-0f the-same.

The foregoingwill, it is believed, suffice toiinparta clear.understandingormy invention with- ;out furtherexplanation.

-Manifes tly -the invention, is described, is susceptible ofmodification without departing from the inventive; concept and'right isherein reserved to -such modificationssas fallwithin thescope of thesubjoined .claims.,-

What-I claimis:

,1. Apparatusj'fordelivering train :order's com- ..prising; .a post, anarm efixed to and extending laterally from said post, a pair of trainorder holders at the outer end of said arm spaced apart in 90 angularrelation and each including a pair of outwardly divergent bars, means tomount said holders on the outer end of said arm for gravitationalswinging movement in a vertical plane from a normal position andincluding a carrier pivoted on said arm, said pair of holders in saidnormal position extending forwardly of said arm and upwardly therefrom,respectively, a pair of order holding loops one detachably attached toeach of said holders and held open by said bars, latch mechanism pivotedon said carrier coacting with said arm for retaining said holders innormal position and constructed and arranged to be tripped forunlatching operation, and means to trip said mechanism comprising arotary crank shaft on one of said order holders having a crank disposedwithin the loop on said holder for operation by the latter as anincident to detachment of said loop;

2. Apparatus for delivering train orders comprising a post, an arm fixedto and extending laterally from said post, a pair of train order holdersat the outer end of said arm spaced apart in angular relation and eachincluding a pair of outwardly divergent bars, means to mount saidholders on the outer end of said arm for gravitational swinging movementin a vertical plane from a normal position and including a carrierpivoted on said arm, said pair of holders in said normal positionextending forwardly of said arm and upwardly therefrom, respectively, apair of order holding loops one detachably attached to each of saidholders and held open by said bars, latch mechanism pivoted on saidcarrier coacting with said arm for retaining said holders in normalposition comprising a dog, a latching dog spring tensioned towardunlatching position, trip mechanism for holding said dog in latchingposition including a tripping lever, and means tolock said lever inholding position comprising a crank shaft rotatably mounted on one ofsaid order holders for operation into and out of locking positionrelative to said lever and having an operating crank swingable into theloop on said holder for operation by said loop as an incident todetachment of the same.

BERNARD V. ROBBINS.

